RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Detailed Syllabus, Marking Scheme & Selection Process

RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced 11,558 vacancies for the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) posts across Indian Railways. This recruitment drive covers both graduate and undergraduate-level positions. To excel in the RRB NTPC 2026 exam, candidates must have a clear understanding of the exam pattern, marking methodology, and recruitment stages. Let’s dive into the complete RRB NTPC 2026 exam pattern and selection process to streamline your preparation.

RRB NTPC Selection Process 2026

The RRB NTPC recruitment process is highly structured, consisting of a 1st Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), a 2nd Stage CBT, a Typing Skill Test or Computer Based Aptitude Test (as per post requirements), followed by Document Verification and a Medical Examination. Final selection is strictly merit-based, determined by performance across these designated stages.

The comprehensive recruitment pathway involves the following mandatory examination stages:

1. 1st Stage: Computer-Based Test (CBT-1)
2. 2nd Stage: Computer-Based Test (CBT-2)
3. 3rd Stage: Typing Skill Test/Computer-Based Aptitude Test (as applicable)
4. Document Verification/Medical Examination

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Following your performance in Stage-1 and Stage-2, shortlisted candidates will proceed to the Skill Test, Aptitude Test, or Document Verification. Specific evaluation criteria apply depending on the nature of the post, including:

RRB NTPC CBT 1 Exam Pattern 2026

1. The 1st Stage of CBT is of a screening nature and the standard of questions for the CBT will be generally in conformity with the educational standards prescribed for the posts.
2. The exam duration for PWD candidates is 120 Minutes.
3. There will be negative marking and a 1/3 mark shall be deducted for each wrong answer.
4. The total no. of candidates to be shortlisted shall be 20 times the community-wise vacancies of posts notified against the RRB as per their merit in 1st Stage CBT cum choice of posts.
5. The normalized score of 1st Stage CBT shall be used for the shortlisting of candidates for 2nd Stage CBT as per their merit.

To qualify, candidates must meet the minimum percentage criteria: UR (40%), EWS (40%), OBC-NCL (30%), SC (30%), and ST (25%). Note that these passing marks may be relaxed by 2% for PwBD candidates if there is a shortfall in filling reserved vacancies.

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RRB NTPC CBT 2 Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates shortlisted for the 2nd Stage CBT under reserved categories—including OBC(NCL), SC, ST, EWS, PwBD, and ExSM—will retain their category status throughout the subsequent recruitment phases for all evaluation purposes.

1. The exam duration for PWD candidates is 120 Minutes.
2. A negative marking of 1/3 is there.
3. The level of questions will be different for the different levels of posts.
4. The final selection will be done based on the CBT 2 merit list.

RRB NTPC Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) 2026

The Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) is exclusively required for applicants choosing the Station Master and Traffic Assistant roles.

1. Qualifying marks: The candidates need to secure a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries to qualify.
2. This applies to all candidates irrespective of community or category and no relaxation in the minimum T- Score is permissible.
3. Candidates will have to qualify in each of the test batteries of CBAT to be considered for the post of SM.
4. The CBAT shall have question-and-answer options only in English and Hindi.
5. There shall be no negative marking in CBAT.
6. The merit list will be drawn only from amongst the candidates qualifying in the CBAT, with 70% weightage for the marks obtained in the 2nd Stage CBT and 30% weightage for the marks obtained in the CBAT.

RRB NTPC Typing Skill Test (TST)

Applicants for Senior Clerk-cum-Typist and Junior Account Assistant-cum-Typist positions are required to qualify in the Typing Skill Test following the completion of CBT-1 and CBT-2.

1. Qualifying in nature.
2. Eight times the number of vacancies will be called for typing test.
3. The candidates should be able to type 30 words per minute (WPM) in English or 25 WPM in Hindi on a Personal Computer only without editing tools and a spell check facility.

RRB NTPC Document Verification (DV)

The final document verification call list is generated based on merit, derived from performance in the 2nd Stage CBT and, where applicable, the combined scores of the 2nd Stage CBT and CBAT/TST.